HillarEmail2

I’m struggling with various somewhat contradictory reactions to Hillary Clinton’s spoken announcement today and subsequent nine-page document explaining her use of private email address when she was Secretary of State. On balance though, my sense is that Clinton has provided a reasonable, if not wholly satisfactory, explanation for her actions. I only wish she had provided it a week earlier. This post elaborates on the following:

1) In the past, the media has misreported Clinton’s words in such a way that after several days during which I criticized her harshly, I am loath to condemn her in the absence of specific objective evidence of wrongdoing. 2) Clinton’s announcement addresses most of the concerns raised about her email practices at the State Department. Nevertheless, she does attempt to finesse away the one rule violation that I have harped on from the beginning: she did not preserve the emails in the State Department’s record-keeping system. 3) Although her words did not satisfy me completely, she was far more effective than damage control specialists Lanny Davis and David Brock whose efforts amounted to pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire. Nevertheless, I am skeptical of her ability to win the Presidential election next year.

1) Reporters have misrepresented uncritical comments by Hillary Clinton as negative judgments about the Obama administration.

Over the past week on my radio show and in this post, published Saturday, I have been extremely critical – perhaps too critical – of Hillary Clinton’s failure to preserve her State Department emails at the agency. I have also chided her for failing to address legitimate concerns raised by this failure. Instead she relied on media flacks like David Brock and Lanny Davis who made a not-so-good situation look much worse.

Responding to commentary Tuesday morning, a listener sent me an email with the subject line “Treason is more important than Hillary”. He urged me to discuss the letter that 47 Republican senators sent to Iran warning them that any negotiated deal with President Obama probably wouldn’t survive into the next administration. I concurred that the Republicans were contravening our nation’s interests in attempting to undermine the peace process for purely political reasons.

I then argued that this was not dissimilar from what Hillary Clinton had done this past summer in an interview with the Atlantic Magazine. Quoting interviewer Jeffrey Goldberg’s description of Mrs. Clintons’ answers to him, I said “Clinton suggested that she finds [Obama’s] approach to foreign policy overly cautious, and she made the case that America needs a leader who believes that the country, despite its various missteps, is an indispensable force for good.”

Clinton, I contended, could have cribbed these remarks from wrong-headed if not downright dishonest neo-con pundits like Charles Krauthammer and Bill Kristol. Both of whom ceaselessly chide Obam for decreasing the number of American troops in the Middle East and for not promoting the noxious “American exceptionalism” theory. My sense was that Clinton was doing this to position herself to the right of the administration in advance of the 2016 Presidential election.

Coming right before the November midterms, I saw the remarks as undermining Democratic chances of retaining the Senate (which they lost) and making gains in the House (which they did not). I concluded that by knee-capping Obama, Clinton helped put Mitch McConnell and other Republican Senators in a position where they could credibly “warn” Iran that any peace treaty might be short-lived.

The problem with this theory is that Goldberg misrepresented Clinton’s actual words which were far more innocuous and measured than he stated. Clinton did not state or even imply that President Obama was overcautious. Consider this question and answer.

JG: Is there a chance that President Obama overlearned the lessons of the previous administration? In other words, if the story of the Bush administration is one of overreach, is the story of the Obama administration one of underreach?

HRC: You know, I don’t think you can draw that conclusion. It’s a very key question. How do you calibrate, that’s the key issue. I think we have learned a lot during this period, but then how to apply it going forward will still take a lot of calibration and balancing. But you know, we helped overthrow [Libyan leader Muammar] Qaddafi. (Emphasis supplied.)

Clinton does say that she supported military assistance to the Syrian rebels challenging Assad in 2011 but she does not suggest that President Obama’s contrary decision was driven by overcautiousness.

Goldberg’s more serious misrepresentation of Clinton’s comments relates to the following question and answer.

JG: There is an idea in some quarters that the administration shows signs of believing that we, the U.S., aren’t so great, so we shouldn’t be telling people what to do.

HRC: I know that that is an opinion held by a certain group of Americans, I get all that. It’s not where I’m at.

From this exchange, Goldberg apparently concluded that Clinton believes that the nation needs a leader who, unlike Obama, sees America as “a force for indispensable good.” But that is not a fair reading of Clinton’s response which most likely rejects the opinion “held by a certain group of Americans” that the administration believes “we, the U.S. aren’t so great”. In fact, Clinton is defending Obama from allegations that he isn’t sufficiently pro-America.

2) Clinton addressed the main concerns most commentators have raised but tried to finesse away the rules violation.

Clinton’s only rules violation and indeed, for me, the only impropriety surrounding her use of email at the State Department was her failure to maintain the emails on a State Department server as she was required to do under 36 CFR 1236.24 (Oct 2, 2009). Her explanation for lawfully continuing to use her private email address – it was easier to use just one email account and she didn’t want to have to notify all her correspondents of a new address – seems perfectly plausible. In fact, I suggested this may have been her reason onair Tuesday morning. She also responded to those raising security concerns by noting that the email server was maintained in her residence protected by secret service and she was unaware of any attempts to breach it.

Clinton doesn’t quite come out and acknowledge her failure to preserve all email records appropriately in the record-keeping at the State Department. But a perusal of her 9-page written release shows that she recognizes this concern and that the failure was likely insignificant. Clinton explains that she mostly emailed her subordinates via their state.gov addresses so such emails were in fact maintained on State Department servers.

She also notes that emails to and from other federal officials would be on federal servers unless of course her correspondent also was using a private address. She contends that when the State Department requested all of her work-related emails, a comprehensive search of her records revealed only 2,900 of over 30,000 emails that were not addressed to a federal email address. Of these, she says, hundreds included a courtesy copy to a state.gov address. It seems that Clinton did comply with the spirit of the rules although clearly not the letter.

Clinton says that she deleted 30,000 or so personal emails that were on her server. She had every right under federal rules to do so. Indeed, had she used a state.gov email address while Secretary of State, nobody except partisan Republicans would raise questions about them. The problem is that since she used the same email address for personal and government business, it is natural for people to question whether she deleted embarrassing or compromising correspondence that pertains to her work at the State Department.

3) Clinton’s failure to get in front of the story reflects a significant weakness as a candidate.

Hillary Clinton’s email practices at the State Department between 2009 and 2013 came to the public’s attention after the New York Times published a story on March 2 that asked whether she may have violated any rules. Clinton directly addressed these concerns more than a week later. From the 2nd until the 10th, Clinton relied on pitbulls Lanny Davis and David Brock to defend her. This was a big mistake.

They came across as dissembling spinmeisters rather than honest brokers. Had Clinton announced on March 3 that she would set forth her practices and answer questions the following day, she would likely have weathered this story well. She might have neutralized any Republican advantage and perhaps even garnered public sympathy.

Hillary’s challenge is she just doesn’t have her husband’s charm or charisma and is reluctant to expose herself in an uncontrolled setting without having determined in advance exactly what she will say. This causes her to exercise excessive caution.

Although her enunciated policy preferences are quite similar to Bill Clinton’s, she lacks his ability to persuade us that she feels empathy for struggling Americans. Bill was Bubba. He was one of the boys and he felt our pain. By contrast, Hillary’s attempts to be one of the girls so often seem forced. When she discusses issues, she appears to avoid commenting on the real impact various policy choices might have on the American people. Tragically, unless a Democratic successfully challenges for the nomination, this dynamic could hand the Presidency to a hard-right anti-labor climate change denier.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8

In China, Google has explored launching a new, special search engine that would meet the demands of the country’s strict Internet censors. Meanwhile, in the US, regulators/users increasingly demand Silicon Valley apply a heavier hand in moderating onlin

(Wednesday, Aug 29. 2018 03:19 AM)

2prevent harassment, stop hate speech & ensure civil political discourse. Now down the slippery slope goes Trump right into the totalitarian rabbit hole. T today accused Google of being “RIGGED” against him because the “search results for ‘Trump News’” show mostly “BAD” coverage about him from “Fake News Media.” And Larry Kudlow, National Economic Council director, said the T admin is “taking a look” at whether Google should be regulated. That’s not fake news, it’s scary news. http://tinyurl.com/ybctd59s

Correction: For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 release is reduced <40%, not <50%. System best described as a waste heat concentrator that then drives a turbine & generates electricity. The technique utilizes OFF-THE-SHELF proven tech. Initially, wast

(Sunday, Aug 12. 2018 01:28 PM)

would otherwise be released to the enviro is used 2drive a turbine that pressurizes air. This air is then stored underground @ ambient temps (either in an exhausted gas/oil field or in other common geologic formations). During /peak demand/ electric load periods, this air is piped 2where it is warmed by waste heat from the plant-s current operations. This increases the air-s energy density 2where it is sufficient 2operate a turbine & electric generator. Net result is that what was once considered waste heat pollution that costs money to dispose of can now generate electricity.

what has traditionally been unusable/polluting waste heat as pressurized air. This air later operates efficient modified turbines. 2X plant efficiency poss during peak periods. For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 reduced <50%. Pressurized air can also time-shift electric output from renewables. Dr Bill not alone: http://goo.gl/dCuvqh As for marquee claim, pressurized air can prevent nuke meltdowns by serving as alt coolant during critical 1st 72hrs w/o H2O. http://goo.gl/b1DCV9 While some radiation would be discharged in air, idea better than a meltdown.

T admin now wants to make it harder for legal immigrants to become US Citzns. Under a recent proposal, legal immigrants wouldnt be allowed to obtain citizenship or green cards if they’ve ever used the social programs many working-class ppl use at so

(Wednesday, Aug 8. 2018 04:30 AM)

like the ACA (Obamacare), Children’s Health Insurance, or foodstamps. Proposal won’t require congressional approval. As the Clinton admin did in 1999, T admin would redefine the term /public charge/, a feature of immigration law since 1800s. More than 20M immigrants would thus be prevented from ever voting. Immigration attys r planning2 push back in the courts, but Repubs r packing the courts too, so… https://goo.gl/6mSW1H

Earlier this wk, a Koch brothers-sponsored study shared widely w/corporate media tried2 scare ppl into thinking Medicare-for-all would be too expensive for our country. But what the study did was show that Medicare-for-all would actually save the American

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 11:34 PM)

people $2T over 10yrs. And it would do so while providing hlth care for 30M Americans who dont have it today & eliminating premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to private hlth ins companies. Sounds like a good deal to me. So I want to thank the Koch brothers. I do not think their study had its intended effect. s/Bernie Sanders. http://goo.gl/y9ChnC (In fairness, Bernie forgets2 mention the premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to Medicare/Medigap ins/PrescriptionDrugPlans. Medicare isn’t free 2 most end users but would cost less & improve results.

KSCO did a tribute show today from 10-noon w/guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was2 successfully obtain a patent 4a method to quench out-of-control nuke reactors. I would

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:49 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods with complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation – energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

I’m listening to a tribute show KSCO is doing today from 10-noon with guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was to successfully obtain a patent for a method to quench o

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:41 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods w/complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation — energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

Dr Bill Wattenburg, KGO radio talk host & scientist, passed away Thurs at age 82 due to complications of cancer. Dr Bill was a fixture on KGO from 1975-2011. I have missed Dr Bill’s input in recent yrs. I always held high respect for his scientific knowledge & his scientifically-based ideas. However, when it came to politics, his attitudes were sometimes abysmal & towards people that didn’t worship at his feet, he had a nasty mean streak. https://goo.gl/d98JUF

Did Trump Meet With His Counterpart — Or His Handler? A plausible theory of mind-boggling collusion. By Jonathan Chait @ nymag.com. That the GRU & Putin would have in the past behaved badly… well that is no more surprising

(Sunday, Jul 22. 2018 09:56 PM)

than the known past behavior of our own spooks/leaders. But that doesnt mean we cant now get along & work towards mutual betterment. I believe common ground w/RU is as poss as w/China & Europe. In that 1 very specific respect, I think Trump’s thinking is correct. Our biggest prob isnt the Russians, but the fact that our politicians are under the influence of corrupt money from foreign/corporate/mob/oligarchs. We should inoculate ourselves w/better cybersecurity, public campaign financing, & verifiable paper ballots — not by alienating RU. https://goo.gl/FGTHH7

Hope KKSF succedes so as2 better inform SF commuters. However, they have weak signal here & no local/state content except4 NBC news on hr. They also rerun same 4 shows 24/7. PBC says he contacted them but learned they have no

(Saturday, Jul 21. 2018 08:11 PM)

budget4 local talent. KGO however moving back 2roots taking more calls. This forces content from cheesy dribble 2 current & even local. And if Jack Swanson comes back as PD, PBC hopeful he & others might get gigs. R country has lost its way w/greedy corporate raiders that load formerly honorable/viable business w/unmanageable debt. The raiders then micromanage massive cuts trying2 maximize profit, but they r so incompetent that they cant even retain previous profits. Laws need to change.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8